Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-08-04

meath her feet like dry tinder, ques-
ton upon question rose continually
before her. Could she ever forgive
this man who had once forgotten his
vows? How could she ever have con-
fidence in him again? Would not the
next pretty woman he chanced to meet
again entice him from her?
These questions revolved through
her brain in rapid succession, and tor
tured her soul beyond endurance, for
in spite of all Stephens shortcomings
Relief realized she loved him,
Slowly she retraced her steps to-
ward the house, still undecided how to
proceed, and as she did SO her eyes
caught the reflection of deep red
glare in the sky to the south, while
lower down heavy volume of smoke
was discernible. 1t was that scourge
of the western plain-the Prairie Fire!
The wind, however, came from the
opposite direction, SO, although it blew
fully thirty miles an hour, she felt
there was no cause for alarm-besides
was there not the fire-breakP
Quietly she reentered the cabin.
Placing hand gently upon her hus-
bands shoulder she said, stephen
you must give nae until tomorrow to
think over this question, tonight l feel
so weak and. nervous 1 might not do
you justice. will make you bed
on the floor and you must try to
sleep, for you are completely worn
out"
He looked his thanks but did not
trust himself to speak. His eyes fol-
lowed her as she deftly arranged the
blankets and made up a pillow for his
head, then with simple goodnight"
she extinguished the lamp and laid
down on her bed, dressed as she was,
to think.
For several hours she lay there try
ing to decide upon the proper course
to pursue-love contending with
wounded pride-until finally worn
out by her self-questioning she fell
asleep.
She was awakened by sense of
suffocation. The interior of the cabin
was suffused with light and dull,
heavy roaring was in her ears. In a
moment it flashed over her that the
prairie fire was upon them.
Springing from her couch she rushed
outdoors. 1t was as she suspected.
The wind had veered around to the
southeast and the fire she had seen
earlier in the evening, was heading
towards the cabin at u furious rate.
So close were the flames that she could
plainly see the tumble-weeds and rub
bish as they were blown ahead of
the main column of fire, by the terrific
wind.
The heat was almost intolerable
while the glare from the flames made
everything visible for miles.
1t was very evident to Relief that
her tire-break was an utterly insuffi-
cient protection against such combi-
nation of fire and wind, and that their
only chance of safety lay in reaching
the creek, nearly mile distant.
Stephen was still sleeping heavily
and as she stopped to waken him, he
moved uneasily and muttered her
name 1t was no time for sentiment,
but before rousing him, she bent still
lower and softly pressed kiss upon
his forehead, then with an effort she
shook him sharply, crying:
"Stephen! Stephen! get up, the
prairie is on fire!'
He awoke with start, glared stu
pidly around for moment, then catch
ing sight of his wife's anxious face,
jumped to his feet.
Relief quickly made him understand
The situation and it only needed a
glance to the south to comprehend how
serious their condition was.
1.-THE river! we must make for it at
once, or we are lost!" she almost
now beginning to lose con-
troll of the wonderful nerve she had all
along exhibited.
Stephen nodded, and grasping her
around the waist almost lifted her
along in the direction of the creek.
The fire by this time had leaped across
the tire-break and was now tapping up
the cottonwood shanty. The open
space around the cabin temporarily
checked its progress, but was Of slight
advantage to- the couple fleeing for
their lives.
Almost suffocated by the heat they
stumbled along through the high grass,
'training every muscle to reach the
liver. Twice Reliefs dress was ablaze
from the tumble-weeds which were
blown, ahead of the fire by the high
wind, and each time Stephen blistered
MS hands putting it out.
At last Relief fell exhausted, after
dozen times, and declared
Ter inability to proceed further.
Then Stephen caught her up in his
arms, and needless of her entreaties to
cave her ndpush on alone, he plunged
orward with his burden.
1t was a noble and heroic effort but,
llas! useless.
The wind, now blowing fully As miles
IN hour, carried the flames with it, and,
slancing back for an instant, Stephen
Jaw death was almost upon them.
Making desperate exertion he
managed to stagger ahead to little
lnoll on the prairie and there dropped
+l.
Relief was nearly overcome by the
lot scorching air and could barely |
peak, but as Stephen gently placed |
Ter on the ground, standing between
Ter and the oncoming flames, she gazed |
Up into his eyes with look of unutter-
bile tenderness and whispered:
Stephen, my darling, you have no-
'ly redeemed yourself, I forgive you
,iss mew
He took her once again in his arms
nd pressed long, fervent kiss upon
er poor, parched lips.